10 Difference Between Nitrate And Nitrite (With Chart)
Table of Contents
What Are Nitrates?
A nitrate is any member of either of two classes of compounds derived from nitric acid, HNO3– and a positive ion such as NH4+. Nitrates are common components of fertilizers and explosives. Examples of nitrates include:
- Potassium nitrate KNO3)
- Sodium nitrate (NaNO3)
- Ammonium nitrate ( NH4NO3) etc.
What You Need To Know About Nitrate
- The nitrates are chemical compounds, salts of the nitric acid.
- Nitrate is made up of a nitrogen atom and three oxygen atoms (NO3).
- The chemical structure of the nitrate is such that the nitrogen atom is located in the center and surrounded by oxygen atoms, which are identically bonded in a planar Trigonal conformation.
- The molar mass of the nitrate anion (NO3–) is 62 g/mol.
- Nitrates can be reduced to form nitrites.
- The oxidation number of nitrogen in the nitrates is +5.
- Almost all nitrate salts are soluble in water.
- The nitrates are used in the agriculture as mineral fertilizer, used in food processing (colorants and preservatives), production of paints, medicines, plastics, glass, explosives etc.
- Examples of nitrates include potassium nitrate KNO3), sodium nitrate (NaNO3), ammonium nitrate ( NH4NO3) etc.
What Are Nitrites?
The nitrites are chemical compounds, salts or esters of the nitrous acid. A nitrite can also be described as an intermediate product of the oxidation of ammonia to nitrate. Nitrites are widely used throughout chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Nitrite anion is a pervasive intermediate in the nitrogen cycle in nature. Examples of nitrite salts include:
- Ammonium Nitrite
- Calcium nitrite
- Sodium nitrite
- Potassium nitrate
What You Need To Know About Nitrite
- The nitrites are chemical compounds, salts or esters of the nitrous acid.
- Nitrite is made up of a nitrogen and two oxygen atom (NO2).
- The chemical structure of the nitrite is such that the nitrogen atom is located in the center and surrounded by the oxygen atoms, which are identically bonded in a bent molecular geometry shape.
- The molar mass of the nitrate anion (NO2–) is 46 g/mol.
- Nitrites can be reduced to form nitrogen.
- Almost nitrate are soluble in water and slightly soluble in primary alcohols.
- The oxidation number of nitrogen in nitrates is +3.
- The nitrites are used in the production of meat and fish products.
- Examples of nitrite salts include: Ammonium Nitrite, calcium nitrite, sodium nitrite and potassium nitrate.
Also Read: Difference Between Amine And Amide
| BASIS OF COMPARISON | NITRATE | NITRITE |
| Description | The nitrates are chemical compounds, salts of the nitric acid. | The nitrates are chemical compounds, salts of the nitric acid. |
| Composition | Nitrate is made up of a nitrogen atom and three oxygen atoms (NO3). | Nitrite is made up of a nitrogen and two oxygen atom (NO2). |
| Chemical Structure | The chemical structure of the nitrate is such that the nitrogen atom is located in the center and surrounded by oxygen atoms, which are identically bonded in a planar Trigonal conformation. | The chemical structure of the nitrite is such that the nitrogen atom is located in the center and surrounded by the oxygen atoms, which are identically bonded in a bent molecular geometry shape. |
| Molar Mass | The molar mass of the nitrate anion (NO3–) is 62 g/mol. | The molar mass of the nitrate anion (NO2–) is 46 g/mol. |
| Reduction | Nitrates can be reduced to form nitrites. | Nitrites can be reduced to form nitrogen. |
| Solubility | Almost all nitrate salts are soluble in water. | Almost nitrate are soluble in water and slightly soluble in primary alcohols. |
| Oxidation Number | The oxidation number of nitrogen in the nitrates is +5. | The oxidation number of nitrogen in nitrates is +3. |
| Application | The nitrates are used in the agriculture as mineral fertilizer, used in food processing (colorants and preservatives), production of paints, medicines, plastics, glass, explosives etc. | The nitrites are used in the production of meat and fish products. |
| Examples | Potassium nitrate KNO3), sodium nitrate (NaNO3), ammonium nitrate ( NH4NO3) etc. | Ammonium Nitrite, calcium nitrite, sodium nitrite and potassium nitrate. |
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